Colin is a proud Kurnai man, the son of William (Jock) Hood and Margaret Hood (Bryant). The family lived on the Lake Tyers Mission before moving to Bruthen.
Colin, who was born in the bush at Lake Tyers in 1964 was taught wood burning, spear making, boomerang making and throwing by his father and his Pop Bryant (Keith). In the 1970s, Colin’s maternal grandfather made spears and boomerangs for a museum in Lakes Entrance while Colin’s father was well known in the area for his souvenir or tourist art.
Colin continues the family tradition of artefact making. He is a competent wood burner and notes that wood burning was harder in the old days before wood burners. Colin recalls heating wire in the fire to adorn his art work and frequently burning his young hands.
The Keeping Place is a division of (GEGAC) and provides cultural and tourism services to community organisations and local schools, with information about the Indigenous heritage and culture of the Gunaikurnai people of Gippsland.
In more recent years, Colin has developed skills in painting and produced a range of carved and decorated timber snakes. His carved walking sticks are in constant demand.
Colin is currently involved with an artefact making program where he works with a group of young men. He enjoys taking the group out into the bush to find appropriate wood for boomerangs, spears, clap sticks and other artefacts.
When asked why he makes his art, Colin says “because I love it and enjoy it “ . He adds that he likes to show his children the culture and commented that his ten-year-old youngest son has just started wood burning “the same age I was when I started with my Dad “ .